Fix: “Your PC is Offline” error in Windows 10, 8.1

Do you like to keep your Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 system secured? Of course you do, as everyone tries to keep their data in safe hands all the time; but what should you do when getting the following message from Windows: “Your pc is offline; please enter the last password you used on this computer”?

Well, first of all, you shouldn’t panic as this is a common error or alert displayed on Windows systems. Then, don’t try to log in repeatedly as Microsoft might suspend your account and as you will notice each time you will try to enter your username and password you will be prompted with the following message “That password is incorrect. Make sure you’re using the password for your Microsoft account”.

Now, if you are experiencing these issues, then don’t hesitate and use the guidelines from below as we will try to troubleshoot all your Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 issues. Usually, the “Your PC is offline” alert is displayed suddenly, after a new reboot or when you power on your computer; the error will be displayed even if your device have been worked properly only a few minutes back, so if that happens try to fix it without rushing in applying operations like a clean install of Windows, or a Recovery procedure by using the Windows 8 installation disk (these should be the last solutions to apply as you will end up in losing your data).

Here are some more examples of this problem:

Your device is offline. Please sign in with the last password Windows 10

My Computer is offline

Windows 8 your PC is offline please sign in with the last password

Your PC is offline please enter the last password

Your device is offline please sign in with the last password used on this device Windows 8

Your PC is offline Windows 8

Your PC is offline. please sign in with the last password used on this PC Windows 8

In most of cases, there might be a problem with your network connection and because of that you can’t connect to your Microsoft account. If that’s your problem, you should try to apply the following steps.

If you have a WiFi connection, just check the WiFi transmitter – it should be tuned on and it should provide good signal to your laptop, tablet, or desktop.

Now, usually this should do the trick; but if you can’t address the “your PC is offline” error by applying this method, then try the following one.

Solution 2 – Reset your Microsoft Account

If you have tried to connect to your Microsoft account for several times within a short period, probably your account has been suspended and you will have to reset it. In that matter just follow the Microsoft troubleshooting process which basically implies in accessing the official “Reset Your Microsoft Account Password” web page. From that point you should only follow the on-screen prompts until Microsoft resets your account and provides you access to your Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 device.

Solution 3 – Run PC in Safe Mode

If you’re still unable to log in to your computer, you’ll have to perform some more complex workarounds. But that’s impossible if you don’t have access to your account.

So, the best thing you can do is log into the Safe Mode. This mode allows you to run Windows without any additional processes, so you’ll be able to boot, even if you don’t have access to your account.

Being in the Safe Mode will allow you to perform some workarounds that will help you resolve this problem.

Here’s how to run your PC in the Safe Mode:

Restart your computer while holding the SHIFT button

The Advanced Startup menu will open on the boot. Go to Troubleshoot.

Now, go to Advanced Options > Startup Settings.

Click the Restart button.

A window with various startup options will show up. Press 5 or F5 on your keyboard to choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Wait for your computer to boot.

Now that you’re in the Safe Mode, you can perform some of the following workarounds:

Solution 4 – Check your network connection

Maybe there’s something wrong with your internet connection after all. If you notice you’re not able to properly connect to the internet, check out these articles:

Switching to a Local User Account should be a temporary solution, until you resolve the “Your pc is offline; please enter the last password you used on this computer” problem. Using a Local Account is more practical and accesible than using a Microsoft Account, because it allows you to login without a password and without being online.

Here’s how to switch to a Local Account:

Open theSettings app.

Go to theAccountssection. Now navigate to theYour infotab.

Click Sign in with a local account instead.

Enter your password and click Next.

Now enter a username for your local account and click Next.

After doing that, click the Sign out and finishbutton.

Now log into Windows 10 with your local account.

Solution 6 – Use Registry Editor

And finally, if none of the solutions from above resovled the problem, we’ll try with performing one registry tweak. Here’s what you need to do:

Go to Search, type regedit, and go to Registry Editor

Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\IdentityCRL\StoredIdentities

Expand the StoredIdentities key, and you’ll see your Microsoft account sub-key under it.

Now, just recognize the problematic sub-key, and delete it

Restart your computer.

So, that’s how you can get pass through the “your PC is offline” Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 issue. If you can’t manage to address this issue, then you will have to run a System Recover operation by using the Windows installer disk or why not you should perform a clean Windows 8 install. Anyway, don’t forget about us and share your experience and thoughts with our team and with our readers by using the comments field from below.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2014 and has been since completely revamped and updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.